The hottest Medical Devices Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

Wearables Mostly Don't Work

Cremieux Recueil • 404 implied HN points • 11 Mar 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Medical Devices
  1. Wearables usually only cause small, short-lived increases in activity, and those effects shrink further when you correct for statistical and publication biases.
  2. Those modest behavior changes rarely lead to meaningful improvements in hard health outcomes like weight, cardiovascular risk, or blood sugar for the general population — benefits mostly appear in high‑risk or closely coached groups.
  3. Many device measurements are noisy or unreliable and user engagement fades over time, so wearables often add cognitive load and flashy dashboards but little real health benefit for most people.

Laser Eye Surgery

Cremieux Recueil • 404 implied HN points • 29 Jan 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Medical Devices
  1. Laser eye surgery is a mature, widely used set of procedures that are generally safe and effective, with serious long-term complications being rare. Many patients notice dramatically clearer vision immediately or shortly after the operation.
  2. Different procedures trade off speed, recovery, and side effects: PRK has a longer healing time but very stable results, LASIK offers very fast recovery using a corneal flap, SMILE avoids a flap and has the lowest risk of dry eye, and ICL/RLE are better for very high prescriptions or older patients. You should weigh factors like cornea thickness, prescription strength, and how easy revisions would be.
  3. Deciding which surgery to get is a personal choice based on your eye anatomy, age, goals, risk tolerance, and budget. For many people the procedure is cost-effective and noticeably improves daily life.

Javier Evelyn on Building in the Midwest

Midwest Humble • 55 implied HN points • 26 Feb 26
💼 Business Medical Devices
  1. Alerje started from lived experience and successfully built, patented, and sold a connected epinephrine device to a strategic partner, then shifted to software that gives real-time allergy data to doctors to improve care.
  2. Michigan’s startup scene offers lower costs and a supportive, tightly connected community where introductions and mentorship are common, and new funds plus large medtech employers are starting to unlock more local capital.
  3. Medtech hardware is tough because of regulatory and fundraising challenges, but those obstacles can build defensibility. Staying focused, leaning on mentors and faith, and lifting others while you grow are key to long-term success.

“Sometimes I Forget I'm Paralyzed.” How Neuralink’s First Patient Found Freedom by Connecting His Brain to a Computer.

Big Technology • 6004 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Medical Devices
  1. Noland Arbaugh, a quadriplegic, was able to control a computer with his mind after getting a Neuralink device implanted. This technology allows him to communicate and interact with others in ways he couldn't before.
  2. Neuralink's goal is to connect human brains to computers, helping people with disabilities regain some lost functions. Arbaugh's participation in the first human trial symbolizes hope for future advancements in brain-computer interfaces.
  3. The ethical implications of brain technology are significant. While it can be used for good, like helping those with disabilities, there are risks and potential for misuse that society will need to address.

I Got Surgery to Restore My Hearing. I Regret It.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 315 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Medical Devices
  1. Modern medical procedures like Gamma Knife surgery and cochlear implants can restore severe hearing loss and change a person’s auditory life.
  2. New AI tools — speech-to-text and AI-assisted hearing aids — are narrowing the gap between deaf and hearing by providing noninvasive alternatives.
  3. Because these technologies are advancing quickly, some people are rethinking or regretting invasive interventions like cochlear implants as the line between being deaf and hearing blurs.
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NanoDx

ASeq Newsletter • 43 implied HN points • 26 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Medical Devices
  1. Nano Diagnostics started around 2010 as Biodirection and originally pursued a nanowire-based approach aimed at point-of-care concussion detection.
  2. Improved biomarkers and competitors like Abbott now offer fast immunoassay TBI tests (cleared in 2023), making the concussion diagnostics market tougher for NanoDx.
  3. Recent patents and company signals suggest NanoDx has moved away from its original nanowire focus and is emphasizing SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics, reflecting a broader industry shift away from nanowire approaches.

Beware The Leaky Watchman

The Skeptical Cardiologist • 412 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Medical Devices
  1. The Watchman device for preventing stroke in atrial fibrillation might not be as effective as promised.
  2. Studies show a significant incidence of residual leaks after percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion.
  3. Patients should be aware of the downsides and lack of proven benefits before opting for LAAO over other stroke prevention methods.

The Aktiia Bracelet is Almost Here

The Skeptical Cardiologist • 491 implied HN points • 06 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Medical Devices
  1. The Aktiia Bracelet offers a cuffless way for 24/7 blood pressure monitoring with accuracy validated through studies.
  2. Validation studies have shown that the Aktiia Bracelet performs well and satisfies established criteria for accuracy.
  3. Continuous and unobtrusive monitoring provided by the Aktiia Bracelet can give a more accurate representation of blood pressure throughout the day and night, potentially improving cardiovascular outcomes.

A Sample-to-Answer DNA Sequencer (FLP-L50)

ASeq Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 17 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Medical Devices
  1. The MGI FLP-L50 is a highly integrated sample-to-answer DNA sequencer that combines many steps into one device.
  2. It takes a different approach from other sample-to-answer sequencers previously discussed, offering a unique level of integration.
  3. The instrument reportedly has strong sales in China, suggesting commercial traction in that market.

Space inventions: they are all around you

Space Ambition • 319 implied HN points • 14 Oct 22
🕹 Technology Medical Devices
  1. Many everyday items like zippers and Velcro were improved by space technology. These inventions help us in sports and other activities, showing how space research benefits daily life.
  2. Space technology has led to important medical advancements. For example, special pumps and dental X-rays have origins in space exploration, making healthcare better for everyone.
  3. Products developed for space, like memory foam and water filters, are now widely used on Earth. These inventions make our homes and lives more comfortable and healthy.

My diabetes secrets

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 4 implied HN points • 19 Dec 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Medical Devices
  1. A low-cost method can lower blood sugar by nearly 200 mg/dL in under an hour without exercise, pills, injections, or pain, and it costs under $12 per month.
  2. Information is given about diabetes drugs like Ozempic, Trulicity, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, plus a comparison of fast versus long-acting insulins and how they might affect weight and management.
  3. Practical tips and tools are shared, including preferred CGM and finger-stick meters, a zero-pain way to draw blood, and a new sugar substitute that cooks and tastes like sugar but doesn’t raise blood sugar.

A Primer on NGS Technologies and Their Specs (2025)

LatchBio • 22 implied HN points • 10 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Medical Devices
  1. The sequencing technology landscape is growing rapidly, with many companies and instruments now available. It's becoming easier to measure different aspects of biology, and sequencing is often the final step in many biological workflows.
  2. The cost of sequencing has dropped significantly over the years, reaching under $1,000 for a human genome. This price drop has opened up accessibility for more research and applications.
  3. Modern sequencers are not just for DNA anymore; they are integrating multiple modalities, such as protein detection and spatial analysis. This makes them powerful tools for understanding complex biological systems.

Cochlear Implant Users Face Grim Future Without Repair or Upgrades

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 07 Apr 23
🏥 Health Politics Medical Devices
  1. Cochlear implant users, especially low-income earners, face challenges when their devices become obsolete or in need of repair, potentially leading to loss of hearing if they can't afford upgrades.
  2. Repairing electronics could save Americans $50 billion annually; household could save approximately $382 per year by repairing electronics instead of replacing them.
  3. Tensions between corporate profits and the care of individuals emerge in the realm of medical devices, showing the importance of supporting repair initiatives and community aid over consumption.

The Roche Nanopore Sequencer

ASeq Newsletter • 43 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Medical Devices
  1. The Roche Nanopore sequencer has impressive features like an 8 million sensor array and can process data really fast, but its chemistry isn't great.
  2. It has better density and throughput than some models but still needs improvements to stand out against competitors, especially Oxford Nanopore.
  3. Upcoming webinars will share more details, so it could be worthwhile to check them out if you're interested in this technology.

Perkins' Tractors: a fashionable remedy put to the test

The Quack Doctor • 19 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
💾 History Medical Devices
  1. Perkins' Metallic Tractors were an 18th-century medical device believed to relieve pain by attracting fluid away from the body using metal prongs, based on the concept of 'Perkinean Electricity'.
  2. Dr. John Haygarth conducted an early clinical trial on Perkins' Tractors, revealing placebo responses that influenced disease perception through imagination, showcasing the importance of evidence in medical treatments.
  3. Haygarth's experiments demonstrated the significance of comparing new treatments against controls, emphasizing the ongoing process of making clinical research as objective as possible.

The Forgotten Innovators of Medical Devices

Eugene’s Substack • 2 HN points • 30 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Medical Devices
  1. The founders of IVAC, Steve Sato and Wally Knute, were brilliant innovators in the medical device industry.
  2. Sato and Knute invented a hospital thermometer with disposal tips and a pump for regulating IVs, revolutionizing medical procedures.
  3. IVAC, the company they built, became a significant player in the medical device industry, yet their legacy has been largely forgotten.

Noninvasive Brain Activity Imaging

Rough Diamonds • 2 HN points • 05 Jan 24
🔬 Science Medical Devices
  1. Noninvasive brain activity imaging allows for measuring and mapping brain activity without surgery or bulky machines.
  2. Different imaging modalities like fNIRS, functional ultrasound, and portable MEG offer varying levels of convenience, spatial resolution, and depth of brain activity detection.
  3. Innovations like functional ultrasound and OPM-MEG show promise in providing noninvasive and portable options for measuring brain activity.

Should indie medical-device techs have the ‘right to repair’?

Fight to Repair • 0 implied HN points • 17 Apr 21
🏥 Health Politics Medical Devices
  1. Skilled technicians struggle with repairs due to lack of documentation, tools, and parts, causing delays for device users.
  2. Independent technicians lack legal leverage to access tools and resources necessary to repair medical devices like wheelchairs and insulin pumps.
  3. The FDA and FTC have supported right-to-repair policies for medical devices, emphasizing the importance of technicians in maintaining the healthcare system.

QuantumDx

ASeq Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 10 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Medical Devices
  1. QuantumDx has shifted from researching FET nanowire DNA sequencing to developing sample-to-answer qPCR platforms.
  2. This represents a big technological pivot toward a more conservative, near-term, market-ready diagnostics strategy instead of experimental sequencing hardware.
  3. The latest update about the company is published as paid, subscriber-only content.

Nanopore Sequencing Companies: Geneus

ASeq Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Medical Devices
  1. Geneus is a nanopore sequencing company claiming 99% accuracy in their technology. They use special features that allow many sequencing units to fit on a tiny chip.
  2. Their sequencing method seems to be different from others, focusing on synthesizing a complementary strand with unique tags. This method helps identify the sequence of DNA more effectively.
  3. The advancements in size and technology from Geneus might be huge, but details on how they achieved this remain unclear.

FDA approves first OTC CGM system

philsiarri • 0 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Medical Devices
  1. FDA authorized the first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor (CGM), Dexcom Stelo Glucose Biosensor System, for individuals 18 and older not using insulin.
  2. The CGM system aims to help users understand the effects of diet and exercise on blood sugar levels, providing glucose readings every 15 minutes with sensors lasting up to 15 days.
  3. The FDA clearance for this device emphasizes increased health equity by making health monitoring more accessible, although some side effects like skin irritation and pain have been reported.

Roche Nanopore: First Thoughts (pt2)

ASeq Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 20 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Medical Devices
  1. Roche is developing a new duplex approach that improves sequencing accuracy significantly, moving from Q20+ to around Q39. This is a big upgrade for DNA sequencing.
  2. The company aims to launch their product in 2026, but early access is expected in 2025. There's a chance they could face challenges during execution.
  3. While Roche's reads are shorter and competitive with other platforms, they will need to handle pricing and compete with long-read technologies from companies like Oxford and PacBio.